as in shiver
an instance of shaking involuntarily with fear or cold
a shudder ran through him as he stepped outside into the snow
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in to shake
to make a series of small irregular or violent movements
huddled in the basement, we shuddered with fear as we heard the approaching tornado
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shudder
Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 5 June 2025
At Bonniers Konsthall, with its low mechanical rhythm and amorphous forms, the sculpture breathes and shudders in a space that feels eerily alive—a shelter of desire, decay, and instability.
—Nargess Banks, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025
All those sharp tool and drills are enough to make anyone shudder.
—Marilyn La Jeunesse, Parents, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for shudder
Noun
The band enlisted the great Mike Mills to direct, with Saoirse Ronan starring as an office worker who dances, squirms, shudders, and screams through her daily routine.
—Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 5 June 2025
At Bonniers Konsthall, with its low mechanical rhythm and amorphous forms, the sculpture breathes and shudders in a space that feels eerily alive—a shelter of desire, decay, and instability.
—Nargess Banks, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
Verb
Many people will shudder in disgust at the sound of another person sneezing and coughing.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025
All those sharp tool and drills are enough to make anyone shudder.
—Marilyn La Jeunesse, Parents, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for shudder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shudder
Noun
-
Hank is a Dallas Cowboys diehard; the idea of Bobby getting into the Premier League sends him into full-body shivers.—
Jeremy Gordon,
The Atlantic,
22 Aug. 2025
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And the first tsunami wave of tariffs announced in April sent shivers through bond markets, leaving the global economy teetering on the brink before Trump’s advisers convinced him to temporarily pause most of the new tariffs.—
Wally Adeyemo,
Foreign Affairs,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
On back-to-back pass plays, though, Ward held the ball too long and couldn’t shake the Broncos’ pass rush, resulting in back-to-back sacks that took the Titans outside field goal range.—
Nick Kosmider,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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After a while, the lady shook her head.—
Bryan Washington,
New Yorker,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Furman is one of a kind: a trans, devoutly Jewish former rabbinical student who’s written a book about Lou Reed and sings folk-punk songs in a mercurial tremble.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
22 May 2025
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Valeria leaves guard duties to Ellen, a grandmother with a constant tremble in her hands from her MS.—
James Grebey,
Vulture,
17 Oct. 2024
Verb
-
The president starts out by making a visit to Liberty Arena to play basketball with some school children, then gets jerked away when the crisis happens.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
2 Sep. 2025
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If Hall jerked too violently, let alone tried to run, the wire would pull the trigger, firing the shotgun Kiritsis had pointed at the back of Hall’s head.—
Katie Rife,
IndieWire,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Cabinet is a quivering collection of yea-sayers.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
3 Aug. 2025
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Hamill delivers this monologue with real passion, his raspy voice quivering with sincerity.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
28 July 2025
Verb
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Resonance, which is to vibrate with, is the principle of all change.—
Ginny Whitelaw,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
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The imposing gothic details of Victor’s castle-laboratory—a portentous warrior-angel statue that comes to life, a screaming Medusa rondel carved in stone—vibrate with gloomy baroque majesty.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
30 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shudder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shudder. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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